frugivorous

American  

[froo-jiv-er-uhs] / fruˈdʒɪv ər əs /

adjective

1. fruit-eating, as certain bats.

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frugivorous British  

/ fruːˈdʒɪvərəs /

adjective

1. feeding on fruit; fruit-eating

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Etymology

Origin of frugivorous

First recorded in 1705–15; from Latin frūgi-, combining form of frūx “fruit, crops, produce” + combining form -vorus “devouring”; see origin at frugal ( def. ), -vorous

Explanation

An animal that eats fruit is frugivorous. Famously frugivorous creatures include orangutans and fruit bats. Just as most humans are omnivorous, eating a variety of foods, and meat-eaters are carnivorous, animals that feast primarily on fruit are described as frugivorous. The word derives from the Latin frux, "fruit or produce," and vorare, "to devour." Animals like the South American maned wolf, many parrots, and the toucan are all considered frugivorous, because fruit makes up the majority of their diet.

Example Sentences

As humans fragment the forests — that is, break large forests into smaller patches through construction and other environmentally destructive practices — the scientists learned that they restrict the movement of important frugivorous birds.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2024

But how does the waxwing, among the most frugivorous of birds, know the crop is ready?

From Seattle Times • Dec. 29, 2022

Fruits use aromatic oils and alcohols to deter the growth of bacteria and attract seed-dispersing frugivorous animals.

From New York Times • Dec. 1, 2018

The countenance of Luna, my frugivorous canine companion, reflects no such commitment to restraint, but she is a dog, after all, and a yellow Lab for that matter.

From Washington Post • Sep. 14, 2018

Now the parrot belongs to a vegetarian or frugivorous stock, and this change of diet in the relatively short time since sheep-ranches were established in New Zealand is very striking.

From The Outline of Science, Vol. 1 (of 4) A Plain Story Simply Told by Thomson, J. Arthur